Includes Arabic editions and translations of two introductions: al-Basit by al-Wahidi and the Tahdhib fi Tafsir al-Qur'an of al-Jishumi, as well as the translation of sections of the tafsir of al-Kashani

Edited by Karen Bauer

Description

Medieval interpretations of the Qur'an often serve as points of reference for Muslim thought; yet Qur'an commentaries were shaped not only by the Qur'an itself, but also by their authors' ideological viewpoints, their theories of interpretation, their methods, and the conventions of the genre. This volume is the first to focus solely on the complicated relationship between exegetes' theoretical aims, their practical methods of writing, and the historical and intellectual contexts of Qur'an commentaries (tafsir). Experts in various aspects of the Qur'an and its interpretation have contributed essays, spanning the 2nd/8th to the 9th/15th centuries, the period in which the commentarial tradition developed and flourished. They emphasise the ways in which geography, human networks, hermeneutical systems and genre boundaries affected the writing of these texts. This volume offers fresh analytical perspectives and addresses new methods for the study of tafsir. It also provides resources for scholars, by including editions and translations of the introductions to al-Basit of Abu'l-Hasan 'Ali al-Wahidi (d. 486/1076) and the Tahdhib fi Tafsir al-Quran of al-Hakim al-Jishumi (d. 494/1101), as well as translated selections from the introduction to the tafsir of 'Abd al-Razzaq al-Kashani (d. 736/1336). The detailed studies in this volume will help scholars and students alike to comprehend accurately the purpose and content of Qur'an commentaries individually and as a genre.

Edited by Karen Bauer

Table of Contents

1: The Aims of Tafsir 1. Tafsir and Unlocking the Historical Qur'an: Back to Basics?', Feras Hamza2. Justifying the Genre: A Study of Introductions to Classical Works of Tafsir, Karen Bauer3. The Introduction of al-Basit of al-Wahidi: An Edition, Translation and Commentary, Walid A. Saleh4. Towards a Reconstruction of the Mu'tazili Tradition of Qur'anic Exegesis: Reading the Introduction to the Tahdhib of al-Hakim al-Jishumi (d. 494/1101) and Its Application, Suleiman A. Mourad2: Methods and Sources of Tafsir 5. Early Shi'i Hermeneutics: Some Exegetical Techniques Attributed to the Shi'i Imams, Robert Gleave6. The Construction of the Arabian Historical Context in Muslim Interpretation of the Qur'an, Andrew Rippin7. Methods and Contexts in the Use of Hadiths and Traditions in Classical Tafsir Literature: The Exegesis of Q. 21:85 and Q. 17:1, Roberto Tottoli8. Letter by Letter: Tracing the Textual Genealogy of a Sufi Tafsir, Martin Nguyen9. Fakhr al-Din al-Razi's System of Inquiry: Doubt and the Transmission of Knowledge, Tariq Jaffer10. Master of the Obvious: Understanding Zahir Interpretations in Qur'anic Exegesis, Ludmila Zamah11. Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti, the Mu'awwidhatan and the Modes of Exegesis, Stephen Burge3: Contextualizing Tafsir 12. A Schoolmaster, Storyteller, Exegete, and Warrior at Work in Khurasan: al-Dahhak b. Muzahim al-Hilali (d. 106/inc. 29 May 724), Claude Gilliot13. Methodologies for the Dating of Exegetical Works and Traditions: Can the Lost Tafsir of al-Kalbi be Recovered from Tafsir Ibn

Edited by Karen Bauer

Reviews and Awards

"Aims, Methods, and Contexts of Qur'anic Exegesis brings together new studies by thirteen prominent scholars of Qur'anic exegesis in the medieval Near East in order to explore how readers' subjectivities account for different interpretations of the scripture and at the same time collectively shape the definitive contours of Qur>'anic exegesis (Arabic: tafsir) as a textual genre. Through detailed analyses of key examples from the classical tafsir tradition in historical context, Aims, Methods, and Contexts (hereafter AMC) helps us to understand better how and why people interpret the Qur'an in the ways that they do... Aims, Methods, and Contexts of Qur'anic Exegesis epitomizes a vibrant and growing conversation around the Qur'an, whole symphony of voices, past and present, is the sound of meaning being made." --Marginalia

"The academic and intellectual content is high. This is a volume that anyone concerned with tafsir will need to consult-it is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the nature and development of the field, and it raises questions and treats issues that are important. Over and over again I found myself drawn in to the papers because of their interest." --Gerald R. Hawting, Emeritus Professor, Department of History, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

"A valuable contribution to the study of tafsir. Reading the book from beginning to end has the effect of immersing the readers in the commentarial tradition and educating them in the aims and methods of Qur'anic exegesis." --Daniel A. Madigan, Associate Professor, Department of Theology, Georgetown University